Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Minnesota. The thrill of being out in nature, waiting quietly for that gobbler to appear is an experience every hunter looks forward to. But to have a successful hunt you need to know when turkey season takes place. This article provides a complete guide on turkey season dates, rules and regulations, top hunting locations, and tips to fill your tag.
Overview of Minnesota Turkey Seasons
There are two turkey seasons in Minnesota – spring and fall. The more popular season is in spring, when male turkeys are actively looking to mate. The spring season is divided into different time periods.
The 2023 spring turkey hunting season in Minnesota runs from April 15th to May 31st It is divided into 6 one-week time periods
- Season A: April 15-21
- Season B: April 22-28
- Season C: April 29 – May 5
- Season D: May 6-12
- Season E: May 13-19
- Season F: May 20-31
There is also a separate youth turkey hunting season from April 15th to May 31st.
Fall turkey season is more limited, with only 2 time periods in October. But it provides hunting opportunities after the spring seasons close
Spring Turkey Hunting Rules and Permits
Spring turkey hunting in Minnesota is regulated with licenses, permits, and season time restrictions.
All turkey hunters need a small game hunting license. Then they must apply for a permit to hunt during the first two spring periods (A and B) in certain Wildlife Management Areas. Permits are awarded by lottery. After Period B, no special permits are required.
The spring turkey bag limit is one bearded bird per license year. Only shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows, and crossbows are allowed. Electronic calls and live decoys are prohibited.
Other regulations like shooting hours, tagging, and registration requirements apply. Be sure to consult the DNR hunting regulations.
Top Places to Hunt Spring Gobblers
With over 5,000 WMAs, state forests, and park lands open to hunting, there is ample public land to pursue spring turkeys. Some of the top areas include:
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Whitewater Wildlife Management Area – Holds the highest turkey densities in the state. Great mix of woodlands and open fields.
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Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area – Diverse habitat along the St. Croix River supports a thriving turkey population.
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Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Area – Offers 100,000 acres of prime turkey real estate.
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Rum River State Forest – Rolling oak ridges and pine forests interspersed with ag lands.
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Nerstrand Big Woods State Park – One of the largest intact oak savannah/woodlands provides great spring habitat.
For private land opportunities, check counties in the Blufflands or along the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota.
Fall Turkey Hunting
While not as popular, Minnesota also offers fall turkey hunting opportunities. The season dates in 2023 are:
- Season A: October 14-20
- Season B: October 21-29
No permits or lottery applications are required. Just a valid small game license. Only shotguns and muzzleloaders are allowed in fall.
Fall hunting focuses on migratory flocks of turkeys, so mobile hunting and scouting tactics are key. With less hunting pressure, success rates can be good. Great places to try include Carlos Avery and Whitewater WMAs, Rum River and Cloquet Valley State Forests, and west central Minnesota.
The fall bag limit is also one turkey of either sex per license year. Be sure to check regulations as they differ from spring.
Tips for Turkey Hunting Success
Here are some key tips to fill your tag during Minnesota turkey seasons:
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Scout early – Locate flocks and patterns weeks before the season.
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Use locator calls – Owl hoots and crow calls can elicit shock gobbles.
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Be invisible – Wear camo and sit against a tree to blend into the landscape.
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Be patient – Calling less is often more effective than calling too much.
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Play the wind – Make sure wind direction carries your scent away from turkey travel routes.
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Be mobile – Don’t be afraid to relocate if you’re not hearing or seeing birds.
Following the spring and fall turkey hunting seasons and understanding the rules and regulations is essential to succeed in Minnesota. With quality habitat and well-managed public lands, hunters have excellent opportunities to harvest a gobbler. Do your scouting, fine-tune your calling skills, and hunt hard – your next spring turkey could be around the corner.
2023 Minnesota Spring Turkey Seasons
| Youth season | April 17-May 31 |
| Archery season | April 17-May 31 |
| A | April 17-23 |
| B | April 24-30 |
| C | May 1-7 |
| D | May 8-14 |
| E | May 15-21 |
| F | May 22-31 |
Licenses for all spring 2024 wild turkey seasons go on sale Friday, March. 1. Once licenses are on sale, they will be available for purchase online, in person and via telephone.
Wild Turkey Licenses
Licenses may be purchased online, by telephone (888) 665-4236 or in person wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Prices listed do not include $1 issuing fee. Online and telephone purchases include additional fees.
Residents (archery only or firearm)
Ages 13 to 17………………………………………….$4.00
12 and younger……………………………………….Free ($1 issuing fee)
Nonresidents (archery only or firearm)
Ages 13 to 17…………………………………………………………………………..$4.00
12 and younger………………………………………………………………………..Free ($1 issuing fee)
The $5.00 Wild Turkey Stamp validation is included in the license price. You do not need to purchase an additional stamp. Because the fall wild turkey license is valid for both archery and firearms, a firearms safety certificate is required for purchase.
A small game license is not required to hunt wild turkey.
See the frequently asked questions document on the wild turkey hunting web page for information about changing licenses, military privileges and more.
When Is Turkey Season In Minnesota? – The Midwest Guru
FAQ
What are the turkey seasons in Minnesota?
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| A | April 16-22 |
| B | April 23-29 |
| C | April 30-May 6 |
| D | May 7-13 |
When can I hunt turkey?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
How many turkeys can I shoot in MN?
The bag limit for the spring hunt is one wild turkey with a visible beard. The beard is a feathered appendage protruding from the breast that is generally found only on males. The bag limit for the fall hunt is one bird of either sex.
Does Minnesota have a turkey hunting season?
The only exemption is for Whitewater, Carlos Avery, and Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), with the A through C periods through lottery only. Anyone can hunt the Whitewater WMA after the B period ends. Like many other states, Minnesota also has a fall turkey hunting season. That season runs Oct. 1-30.
When is the 2025 fall turkey season in Minnesota?
The 2025 fall turkey season in Minnesota runs from September 28 – October 27. This is a more limited opportunity compared to the long spring season. But the fall hunt can be a fun extra challenge after hunting spring birds for many years. The entire state is open during the fall season. You simply need to buy a fall turkey license to participate.
Does Minnesota have a turkey hunting license?
Minnesota doles out its turkey hunting licenses over the counter beginning March 1 every year, so circle your calendar, because it is coming up fast! The bag limit is slightly different for the spring and fall eastern wild turkey seasons. In the spring, you are only allowed one bird with a visible beard.
Who is eligible to hunt wild turkeys in Minnesota?
Who is eligible to hunt wild turkeys during the spring season in Minnesota? In Minnesota, the spring turkey season is open to anyone with a current weapons license, a disability permit under an archery-only license, or 60 years of age or higher under an archery-only license (no disability permit is required).
What does the lettered season mean for turkey hunting in Minnesota?
The Minnesota DNR kind of buries the breakdown of what these lettered seasons mean in their turkey hunting regulations, which can be confusing for nonresidents. Basically, all you need to know is that youth hunters under 18 years of age and archery hunters can pursue turkeys through the entirety of that April 12 – May 31 time frame.
How to hunt a Turkey in Minnesota?
To maximize your hunting success during Minnesota’s spring and fall turkey seasons, keep these tips in mind: Pattern your shotgun – This ensures you know the effective range of your turkey loads. Use a blind – Concealment is key with turkeys’ excellent vision.